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A black comedy about two 19th century grave robbers who find a lucrative business providing cadavers for an Edinburgh medical school.
William Burke: I had confidence in a fart once, and I shat all over myself.
Hangman: [after Burke's execution] I know he seemed like a nice guy and all that, and I suppose you have to respect the fact that he made the ultimate sacrifice for love, but he did kill all those people just for money. And that's just evil. [the Hangman is given a sack of coins as payment for the execution] Hangman: Thank you.
Doctor Robert Knox: That's the third rotter I've had from McTavish and his gang of grave robbers in the last three weeks. [sighs] Doctor Robert Knox: I can't go on like this. Patterson: Is there anything I can do Doctor? Doctor Robert Knox: You could start praying, Patterson, for the one thing that could save us. Patterson: And what's that sir? Doctor Robert Knox: An enormous and awful calamity right here in Edinburgh. An accident or a - or a natural disaster. Something which generates the large numbers of cadavers I need for my work. Patterson: Wouldn't that be nice sir?
Old Joseph: I remember. Old Nosey was there himself. He says, "Stand up, guards. Now, Maitland, now's your time." And over we go, fightin', fightin' the Frogs. Did I ever tell you about the time... [coughs wetly] Old Joseph: the time... [coughs] Old Joseph: I saw the man, the wee man himself, Napoleon? Aye, it were a treat. [laughs] Old Joseph: And that idiotic hat.
William Burke: She is an actress, not a whore. William Hare: What's the difference?
Lucky: [taking a swig of beer] Forgive me father, I know not what I do.
Doctor Monro: And your new students, are they enjoying your lectures? Doctor Robert Knox: Er, not as much as I understand they're enjoying your wife,sir.
Doctor Monro: [after blood spurts from a corpse onto a horrified onlooker] That... would be an artery.
William Burke: Six years in the Donegal Militia I don't get a scratch. Three hours as a grave robber I get shot in the arse.
Doctor Robert Knox: This man's untimely and premature death was, as should be fairly obvious to all of you, the direct result of gluttony! [wobbles the corpses stomach ]
Lord Harrington: Whomsoever he determines has made the greatest advances in the field of medicine will be awarded the Royal Seal, and a handsome monetary reward. Doctors: [in unison] Mmmm!
Ginny Hawkins: I played Agnes in Moliere's "School for Wives" at the Garrick Theatre in London... then times got tough and I branched out into... physical theatre. William Burke: Ah, like acrobatics? Ginny Hawkins: ...Sometimes.
McMartin's Doorman: You're not coming in wearing those. Nicephore: [looks at his shoes] But they are French. McMartin's Doorman: Exactly. So sling your hook. Nicephore: Pardon? McMartin's Doorman: Sling your hook. Nicephore: Hooook? McMartin's Doorman: Your hook, sling it.
McMartin's Doorman: I'll not explain myself again. Mr. Wordsworth is already in the club. William Wordsworth: That cannot be, I am he, newly returned from my tour of the continent. Samuel Coleridge: And I am Samuel Coleridge. McMartin's Doorman: Aye. And I'm Robbie fuckin' Burns! Now piss off, the both ofyouse!
William Hare: I thought life round here was supposed to be cheap. Fergus: It is. But the price rockets once you're dead.
Patterson: I'm sorry to disturb you Doctor but there are two men outside to see you. They appear to have a herring barrel with them. Doctor Robert Knox: I have no taste for herring Patterson. Send them away. Patterson: I believe there's something else in the herring barrel Doctor.
William Hare: [to the unconscious Joseph] Are ye alright Joseph? Old Joseph: [suddenly waking] Do I look alright you bleeding Irish bastard?